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Careers in Science Communication
Robert A JacksonLennard-Jones Laboratories,
School of Physical & Geographical Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffs ST5 5BG
http://www.robajackson.com
Life Sciences Careers ConferenceStaffordshire University, 29 October 2014
@robajackson
Life Sciences Careers Conference, 29 October 2014 2
Careers in Science Communication
1. What I do and why I’m speaking!2. What is Science Communication?3. What careers are available?4. What qualifications do I need?5. What can I do to gain experience?6. What should I do next?
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What do I do?
• Day job: Lecturer (Reader) in Chemistry and Forensic Science, Researcher in Chemistry.
• Science Communication background:– 20+ years of running the Chemistry programme
for the British Science Festival.– This has involved working with both science
communicators and scientists who communicate (different roles).
– Skills are generic to Life Sciences.
Life Sciences Careers Conference29 October 2014
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What is Science Communication?
• Science communication generally refers to public communication presenting science-related topics to non-experts.
• This can involve professional scientists (outreach).
• It has also become a professional field in its own right. This can include science exhibitions, journalism, science policy and media production.
Life Sciences Careers Conference29 October 2014
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What careers are available?
Science Journalism
Outreach
Alexa Hime,Biochemical Society:[email protected]
Teaching
Medical Writing
Science Policy Science Publishing
Life Sciences Careers Conference29 October 2014
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Outreach
• Aim – to enthuse the general public (often young people) about science and to make it accessible.– It can include interactive lectures and hands-on-
demos:
Life Sciences Careers Conference29 October 2014
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Scientific Publishing
•Skills needed:– Written communications– Research– Listening– Attention to detail– Ability to meet tight deadlines
•Possible careers:– Journal editor– Journal production– Commission papers and articles– Licensing & sales
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Science Journalism
• What would you do?– Seek out news– Meet experts– Write!– Make podcasts/videos– Work to deadlines
• Skills needed:– Good written/verbal communication
skills– Investigation and research– Ability to pitch science at the right
level– Meet tight deadlines
Life Sciences Careers Conference29 October 2014
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Science Policy
• What’s involved?– Applying a combination of
scientific knowledge and understanding of government and policy making.
– Identify and transfer information between scientists and policy makers.
• Skills needed:– Written and verbal
communication skills– An interest in science
policy– Research and
investigation– Meeting tight deadlines
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Medical Writing
• What’s involved?– Combining scientific knowledge
with an understanding of how to present information at the right level for the intended audience:• Regulatory documents• Patient information leaflets• Clinical study reports• Conference proceedings• Manuscripts for publication• Promotional/marketing related
material
• Employers:– Pharmaceutical
companies– Contract research
organisations– Communications
agencies– Freelance work
Life Sciences Careers Conference29 October 2014
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Qualifications needed
• In most cases, a degree in a relevant subject is needed.
• For teaching, a PGCE is required.• It is possible to enter any of these careers with
a PhD, although it is not usually required!– e.g. if you’re interested in scientific publishing,
journal editors sometime have PhDs.
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Gaining experience
• Volunteer to help at a science festival– e.g. http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/
• Look out for opportunities for outreach activities
• Start building a network– Twitter is useful here
• Start a blog and publicise your posts!• Consider internships
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What to do next?
• See ‘Next steps; options after a bioscience degree’ (in your conference bags), which has a resource list at the back, including a science communication section.
• You can contact me by e-mail or Twitter (see title slide).
• Another useful contact: Alexa Hime (Head of Education & Training, Biochemical Society) http://www.biochemistry.org/education [email protected]
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